What they intended is completely immaterial. In fact, no one has claimed that DomShabs or Linichuk deliberately intended to offend the aborigines, including the aborigines and the First Nations leaders.
What's material is:
1. Are the aborigines offended? (Yes they are)
2. Do they have a right to be offended? (Of course they do. You don't get to dictate what offends them, nor do I.)
3. Is this dance in violation of ISU guidelines for this year's OD? (I think so, but it's the judges, ISU committee, and/or tech controllers who will determine this, not any of us random posters on the internet)
4. Are DomShabs going to apologize to the aborigines, and are they going to meet with the First Nations' hosts of the Vancouver Olympics? That's their choice. I will be interested to see what they decide to do.
5. Are they going to make changes to their costumes or programs? Again, their choice.
What's material is:
1. Are the aborigines offended? (Yes they are)
2. Do they have a right to be offended? (Of course they do. You don't get to dictate what offends them, nor do I.)
3. Is this dance in violation of ISU guidelines for this year's OD? (I think so, but it's the judges, ISU committee, and/or tech controllers who will determine this, not any of us random posters on the internet)
4. Are DomShabs going to apologize to the aborigines, and are they going to meet with the First Nations' hosts of the Vancouver Olympics? That's their choice. I will be interested to see what they decide to do.
5. Are they going to make changes to their costumes or programs? Again, their choice.